The Supreme Court said on Friday, November 3 that it is difficult to order the Center to immediately implement the Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Act).
Congress leader Jaya Thakur had demanded implementation of women’s reservation before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In her petition, Jaya Thakur demanded the removal of that part from the Women’s Reservation Act, in which it has been said that it will be implemented after the census.
The Congress leader said that census is needed to provide reservation to backward classes. What is the need for women’s reservation?
Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti said on this – There are many other works besides census. First of all, seats will be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies. The bench also refused to send notice to the Center in this matter.
Appreciating the reservation, the Supreme Court said- The decision of women’s reservation is a very good step. Now this matter will be heard in the Supreme Court along with other petitions on November 22.
Under the Women’s Reservation Act, 33% reservation will be implemented for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. At present there are 82 women MPs in the Lok Sabha, under the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, the number of women MPs in the Lok Sabha will increase to 181.
This reservation will last for 15 years. After this, if the Parliament wishes, it can extend its period. This reservation will be applicable for directly elected public representatives. That means it will not apply to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils of states.
The Women’s Reservation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 19, the first day of functioning of the new Parliament. Then this bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 20 September and by the Rajya Sabha on 21 September. It became a law after getting approval from President Draupadi Murmu on 29 September.
Now this bill will be sent to the assemblies. For it to be implemented, it must be passed in 50% of the assemblies of the country.
The Women’s Reservation Act will be implemented only after delimitation. Delimitation will be based on census. Census and delimitation before the general elections in 2024 is almost impossible.
If Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are held on time, women’s reservation will not be implemented this time. This may come into effect from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections or some earlier assembly elections.
The proposal for women’s reservation in Parliament was pending for almost three decades. This issue was first raised by the Committee to Assess the Status of Women in 1974. In 2010, the Manmohan government had passed the 33% reservation bill for women in the Rajya Sabha with majority.
Then SP and RJD opposed the bill and threatened to withdraw support from the then UPA government. After this the bill was not introduced in the Lok Sabha. Since then the women’s reservation bill was pending.
